Formerly used as an insecticide and fumigant; Formulations available internationally for termite control and wood treatment; [HSDB]

Comments

Classified as "moderately toxic," it persists in soil with a half-life of about 4 years. In two cases of poisoning by ingestion, the biological half-life of chlordane in serum was found to be 88 days and 21 days. [EXTOXNET] High-dose animal studies show that organochlorine insecticides can cause liver injury. [LaDou, p. 553] "No evidence of hepatic injury in humans as the result of environmental contamination." [Zimmerman, p. 414]

Restricted

EPA banned it for food crops in 1978 and for termite control in 1988. Chlordane is still licensed for fire ant control in electric transformers. [EXTOXNET] All U.S. registrations cancelled; [EPA Pesticides, p. 56]

Human data: The fatal oral dose has been estimated to be about 6 grams [Derbes et al. 1955] or to range from 6 to 60 grams [Pennsylvania 1969]. [Note: An oral dose of 6 grams is equivalent to a worker being exposed to about 4,000 mg/m3 for 30 minutes, assuming a breathing rate of 50 liters per minute and 100% absorption.]

Vapor Pressure

1e-05 mm Hg

Half Life

An "extended period of time" because of accumulation in fat; [TDR, p. 302] See "Comments."

Category

Description

Sources/Uses

Formerly used as an insecticide and fumigant; Formulations available internationally for termite control and wood treatment; [HSDB]

Comments

Classified as "moderately toxic," it persists in soil with a half-life of about 4 years. In two cases of poisoning by ingestion, the biological half-life of chlordane in serum was found to be 88 days and 21 days. [EXTOXNET] High-dose animal studies show that organochlorine insecticides can cause liver injury. [LaDou, p. 553] "No evidence of hepatic injury in humans as the result of environmental contamination." [Zimmerman, p. 414]

Restricted

EPA banned it for food crops in 1978 and for termite control in 1988. Chlordane is still licensed for fire ant control in electric transformers. [EXTOXNET] All U.S. registrations cancelled; [EPA Pesticides, p. 56]

Reference Link

Exposure Assessment

Skin Designation (ACGIH)

Yes

Bioaccumulates

Yes

MAK

0.5 mg/m3

Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs

Human data: The fatal oral dose has been estimated to be about 6 grams [Derbes et al. 1955] or to range from 6 to 60 grams [Pennsylvania 1969]. [Note: An oral dose of 6 grams is equivalent to a worker being exposed to about 4,000 mg/m3 for 30 minutes, assuming a breathing rate of 50 liters per minute and 100% absorption.]

Vapor Pressure

1e-05 mm Hg

Half Life

An "extended period of time" because of accumulation in fat; [TDR, p. 302] See "Comments."